For the first time in Olympic history, The Paris Games this summer will have an equal number of men and women athletes.
Why it matters: Some of the most highly-anticipated events this year feature female athletes from the U.S., such as gymnastics gold medalist Simone Biles, track and field star Sha'Carri Richardson and reigning Olympic swimming champion Katie Ledecky.
By the numbers: NBC, which has exclusive rights to air the games through 2032, has already sold more than $1.2 billion in advertising around the games and expects to bring in more money this year than any other Olympic Games in history.
"Female athletes in commercials during the last Olympics had a 14% higher brand recognition rate compared to male athletes," said Alison Levin, president of advertising and partnerships at NBCUniversal, at the Women's Sports House (full interview).
